The giants' king shall tremble in dismay, And Ravan weeps his best and dearest dead. Then, flusht with victory, the king will meet. The princes' blood shall be my special draught, By you the gore of all the host be quaffed." Ramayana. THE SUPPLIANT DOVE. Chased by a hawk, there came a dove With worn and weary wing, And took her stand upon the hand Of Kasi's' noble king. The monarch smoothed her ruffled plumes, And cried, "No fear shall vex thee here, Fair Kasi's realm is rich and wide, With golden harvests gay, But all that's mine will I resign Ere I my guest betray." But, panting for his half-won spoil, The hawk was close behind, And with wild eye and eager cry This bird," he cried, "my destined prize, 1 Benares 'Tis not for thee to shield : 'Tis mine by right and toilsome flight O'er hill and dale and field. Hunger and thirst oppress me sore, And I am faint with toil: Thou shouldst not stay a bird of prey They say thou art a glorious king, And justice is thy care ; Then justly reign in thy domain, Nor rob the birds of air." Then cried the king: "A cow' or deer For thee shall straightway bleed, Or let a ram or tender lamb Be slain, for thee to feed. Mine oath forbids me to betray My little twice-born guest: See, how she clings, with trembling wings, To her protector's breast." "No flesh of lambs," the hawk replied, 1 I have retained the cow at the risk of hurting the feelings of some sensitive Hindus. This apologue was composed before the cow was sacrosanct. The monarch's scale stood high. He heaped the scale with piles of flesh, With sinews, blood, and skin, And when alone was left him bone He threw himself therein. Then thundered voices through the air; And fever took the earth that shook To see that wondrous sight. The blessed Gods, from every sphere, By Indra led, came nigh; While drum and flute and shell and lute Made music in the sky. They rained immortal chaplets down, Which hands celestial twine, And softly shed upon his head Pure Amrit, drink divine. Then God and Seraph, Bard and Nymph And a glad throng with dance and song The glorious monarch praised. They set him on a golden car That blazed with many a gem ; Then swiftly through the air they flew, Thus Kasi's lord, by noble deed, Won Heaven and deathless fame; And when the weak protection seek From thee, do thou the same. Mahabharata. |